Film Academy of the Philippines presents 24th Luna Awards

All roads lead to the Pagcor Grand Theater Casino Filipino in Parañaque City this Saturday, September 16, as the Film Academy of the Philippines and Eight Elephants Productions (owned by Harlene Bautista and husband Romnick Sarmenta, Carlos de Leon, Al Cordova, Hubert Navarro and Hero Bautista) present the 24th Luna Awards.

Witness a spectacular night as the FAP pays tribute to the best of the best and honors the cinematic achievements of 2005, in a grand celebration featuring the brightest and biggest stars of Philippine movies. It will be aired on RPN 9 on a slightly delayed basis.

The 24th Luna Awards will be hosted by Jolina Magdangal and Marvin Agustin, John Lloyd Cruz and Claudine Barretto and Bong Revilla and Lani Mercado. Trivia hosts are Miss International 2005 Precious Lara Quigaman and Romnick Sarmenta, with Ms. G Toengi as host at the Red Carpet area. Ms. Eula Valdez will be doing the recap of the winners for each segment.

The awards night is being presented by PAGCOR, Manila Bulletin, Heritage Hotel, Mabuhay Satellite Corporation, Mekeni Food Corporation, WRR 101.9 For Life and the Fashion Designers Association of the Philippines (FDAP).

With unity and camaraderie among showbiz folks as theme, the 24th Luna Awards, to be directed by Al Quinn, will present four dazzling and eye-popping production numbers.

The opening number, which will also serve as invocation, is titled Awit ng Pasasalamat, an original Joey Ayala composition to be performed by Bayang Barrios, Gino Padilla, Rannie Raymundo and Joey Ayala himself.

This will be followed by an ethnic-inspired production number to be done by Edru Abraham and Kontragapi with award-winning actress and singer Ara Mina. The number pays tribute to the world heritage sites located in our country such as the Banaue Rice Terraces, Batanes Island, Tubbataha Reefs and the San Agustin Church.

A Balagtasan will serve as a bridge that will segue to a medley of kundiman and well-loved Filipino old songs to be performed by Kyries, Akafellas, Jolina Magdangal, and Christian Bautista. Jolina will do an original Rene Garcia composition (of the famed Hotdog band) as finale number. Rene wrote it as Mowelfund's theme song but the famed showbiz institution graciously allowed the Luna Awards to use the song to end the night's ceremonies.

The FAP will bestow posthumous awards to two revered names in showbiz, actress Nida Blanca and prolific composer-songwriter George Canseco. The FAP cites Nida's outstanding career as an actress who is adept both in drama and comedy. The FAP also recognizes Mr. Canseco's contributions of beautiful love songs that have become timeless classics.

The FPJ Lifetime Achievement Award will be given to Senator Ramon Revilla, Sr. and veteran scriptwriter and komiks novelist Pablo Gomez.

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Singer/actor Christian Bautista has earned for himself the title "Asia's Pop Idol" for his multi-platinum records, sold-out concerts, and TV appearances not just in the Philippines but also in Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia.

He has recently released a special compilation CD in Singapore, where his signature monster hit single "The Way You Look At Me," has been enjoying frequent airplay. A live concert is set at Fort Canning Stadium in Singapore on Oct. 29, aptly dubbed "Christian Bautista: The Way You Look At Me."

The two-time MTV Pilipinas Awards' Favorite Male Artist, Christian also has been tapped by San Miguel Corporation to be the face of the food and beverage company's new line of "carbonatural" drinks in South East Asia, starting in Indonesia.

He is seen in ABS CBN shows "ASAP '06," "Breakfast on Studio 23," "Your Song," "YSpeak," "Sharon," and "Homeboy."

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"Little Big Star" grand prize winner and Nickelodeon Pinoy Wannabe recipient, Sam Concepcion recently performed before economy and trade leaders at the APEC Business Advisory gala held at Shangri-La Mactan, Cebu.

His predominantly young fan base has been increasingly growing especially with his appearance as super hero Boy Bawang in ABS CBN's newest fantaserye "Super Inggo." He is currently waxing his debut album with Universal Records, and has been regularly appearing in ABS CBN shows "ASAP '06" and "YSpeak".

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To commemorate Viva Entertainment's 25th anniversary, Viva Records has released into the stores, The Silver Series. This is a special limited edition of 12 albums featuring the works of some of Viva's most important stars since its inception in 1981. The artists included represent successes in the field of motion pictures, recordings, concerts and television and to testify to Viva's tremendous contribution to the development of Filipino entertainment. The albums in The Silver Series sell for only P150 each in leading music outlets all over the country.

Spearheading The Silver Series is Megastar Sharon Cuneta with two albums. One is made up of theme songs from popular Viva films like "Pagdating ng Panahon," which is available for the first time in an album and her version of the classic "Mahawi Man ang Ulap." The other Sharon entry is made up of pop recordings like Vehnee Saturno's "Ikaw at Ako," "Kumusta Ka" and a medley of "Even Now" and "Somewhere Down The Road."

Other artists featured in The Silver Series are Regine Velasquez, Jaya, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Andrew E, Freestyle, Lani Misalucha, Donna Cruz, Ogie Alcasid and Janno Gibbs.